Ofcom to assess BBC media player by December

Media regulator Ofcom today said it would finalise its market impact assessment of the BBC's new iPlayer "catch-up" service by December 15.

The regulator has established a joint steering group with the BBC board of governors to look into the new service, with Ofcom gauging its market impact and the BBC governance unit assessing its public value.

The iPlayer will comprise three internet-based services - a seven-day TV and radio programme catch-up service, the simulcasting of TV over the internet, and audio downloads with no time limit.

Ofcom said it would deliver its market impact test to the BBC governors by December 15, with the results expected to be published alongside the BBC Trust's preliminary conclusions early next year.

It was confirmed last week that BBC management had submitted proposals to the board of governors for the iPlayer.

The service is one of four new BBC on-demand services for which Ofcom will conduct market impact tests.

The regulator said it would ensure that any new services were "consistent with the development of a vibrant and dynamic commercial sector".

The BBC's new charter and agreement proposed that all new or substantially changed services should be subject to public value tests by the BBC Trust, which will replace the board of governors.